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defeatist mindset

[dɪˈfiːtɪst ˈmaɪndset]
noun
mentalidade derrotista
1. A psychological attitude characterized by the belief that failure is inevitable, leading to passive acceptance of defeat before attempting action
His defeatist mindset prevented him from even trying to apply for the job.
Sua mentalidade derrotista o impediu de até tentar se candidatar ao emprego.
2. A tendency to assume the worst outcome and give up prematurely without full effort
The team's defeatist mindset cost them the championship.
A mentalidade derrotista do time custou-lhes o campeonato.
NYC Slang
loser's mentality, giving up before you start
Synonyms
pessimistic attitudenegative mindsetquitter's mentalityloser's mentalityself-defeating attitude
Antonyms
winning mindsetoptimistic attitudegrowth mindsetchampion's mentalitycan-do attitude

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
mentalidade derrotista
Standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
mentalidade de perdedor
Slightly more colloquial variant
Rio de Janeiro
pensamento derrotista
Alternative phrasing common in informal speech
Portugal
mentalidade derrotista
Standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

throw in the towel
beaten before you start
defeatist attitude
self-fulfilling prophecy
give up the ghost
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